Poll: Would you use Google’s Mobile Meter app in exchange for some kind of compensation?

According to Engadget, Google looks to be readying a new “Mobile Meter” app that users can install on their Android and iOS devices, essentially giving up even more of their privacy to the search giant. While Android already provides Google with anonymous usage information like location data and search activity, this app looks to go much further – perhaps even monitoring which sites you visit and or which apps you download and use. Google says that the data collection would be anonymous but would better help Google understand its users and further refine the end user experience.

So, other than losing more privacy in exchange for potential product refinements, what’s in it for us? Apparently, the answer is some kind of compensation. While Google is still very tight-lipped since nothing about this has been officially announced, I speculate that compensation would be in the form of Google Play credits.

That got me wondering, though – would any of you use this? How much money would Google need to throw your way to get you to voluntarily opt in to something like this? Take part in our poll, and then leave your opinions about this new service in the space below.

About the Author

John Freml is the editor-in-chief at Pocketables. His articles generally focus on all things Google, including Chrome and Android, although his love of new gadgets and technology doesn't stop there. His current arsenal includes the Nexus 6 by Motorola, the 2013 Nexus 7 by ASUS, the Nexus 9 by HTC, the LG G Watch, and the Chromebook Pixel, among others.

With all this data gathering and monitoring going on these days, I wouldn’t be surprised if a corporation launched a mass data gathering engineering project to influence other companies that there is demand for their type of products, then make money off the ad revenue or something.

Kishan Patel

That is kind of what Panel App does. It monitors location data at certain intervals and then asks you where you were at various times of day (giving you radio options to choose from). Then it basically reports back to various corporations interested in data (restaurants especially) so that they can use it to deliver the most effective prices at certain times of day (happy hour is a good example at many fast food chains).

Also, I (a user of Panel) get compensated by either putting my points into a drawing for a card, or by putting my points towards a guaranteed card. The former being of greater value than the latter.

All in all, I don’t mind it. I turn it off (force close) every now and then when I don’t want my battery to drain or when I don’t feel like being tracked.

Jaymoon

How about free Wi-Fi hotspots nationwide? All activity monitored, but free connection… I thought that was the plan a while ago with the Nexus One, what happened?!

JRDemaskus

Are we not already being compensated for our info with all of the free services provided?
As I understand it, our every step on the internet is visible to many people already. No matter what you think.
So yea, can’t hide it anyway, so I’ll take some Google Play credit. They already give me tons of free “B” grade music and a few hits, maybe I could buy some movies too.